When do the clocks change? Daylight saving time ends this weekend across most of the U.S. and Canada, giving millions an extra hour overnight — and bringing sunrise and sunset an hour earlier. At 2 a.m. local daylight time on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, clocks will be set back one hour to 1 a.m. as standard time returns.
However, this year’s clock change comes with a political twist. The U.S. House of Representatives voted 308–117 in July to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, which would end the twice-yearly clock changes and make daylight saving time permanent. The legislation has not become law, so clocks will still fall back as usual this weekend. Here’s exactly what you need to know.
Exactly When Do The Clocks Go Back This Weekend?
Clocks will be set back one hour at 2 a.m. local daylight time on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. At that moment, the time becomes 1 a.m. local standard time. An easy way to remember which direction the clocks move is “spring forward, fall back.”
That means the change happens at different moments across the U.S. as it moves through time zones. Most smartphones, computers and other connected devices should update automatically, but manual clocks and clocks on ovens, microwaves, cars and other devices will likely need to be set manually.
Do You Get An Extra Hour Of Sleep?
Yes — the clock repeats the hour between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., so Sunday, Nov. 1 is effectively a 25-hour day.
The more noticeable consequence comes after sunrise. Sunrise and sunset will both occur about an hour earlier by the clock, producing lighter mornings but suddenly darker evenings — good news for stargazers.
Which U.S. States Don’t Turn Their Clocks Back?
Two U.S. states do not observe daylight saving time. Arizona remains on Mountain Standard Time year-round, except for the Navajo Nation, which observes DST, while Hawaii permanently uses Hawaii Standard Time. DST is also not observed in the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Canada also has exceptions. Yukon, most of Saskatchewan and some other regions don’t observe the conventional twice-yearly clock change. A significant new exception takes effect in 2026: Alberta will not turn its clocks back on Nov. 1 after adopting permanent Alberta Time, previously called Mountain Daylight Time.
Why Are The Clocks Still Changing After The House Vote?
The Sunshine Protection Act has not become law. The House passed the legislation in July, and the Senate referred it to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation the next day.
If it is enacted in its current form, the legislation would make daylight saving time permanent, so the U.S. would effectively keep its summer clock setting (known as daylight saving time) year-round. For now, however, existing federal law remains in force, meaning most Americans still need to turn their clocks back this weekend.
Do Americans Want To Stop Changing The Clocks?
Most do, though they disagree about which time should replace the current system. A Gallup survey that offered three choices found 48% of Americans favored permanent standard time, while 24% favored permanent daylight saving time. Another 19% wanted to keep changing the clocks twice each year.
When Will Daylight Saving Time Begin Again?
Unless federal law changes before then, daylight saving time will return on Sunday, March 14, 2027. At 2 a.m. local standard time, clocks will “spring forward” one hour to 3 a.m. local daylight time, effectively losing the hour gained this weekend.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.